What to know about Hurricane Debby in the Midlands

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – As Hurricane Debby brings surging storm impacts to South Carolina, it’s important for you to be prepared.

Hurricane Debby made landfall on the Big Bend coast of Florida early Monday morning. Forecasters believe the hurricane has the potential to bring heavy rains, flooding and gusty winds to communities in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.

While coastal communities will likely be visited with more severe weather, Debby is expected to affect the Midlands as well.

Current projections show northern Midlands counties like Newberry, Saluda and Fairfield counties could receive between five to seven inches of rain while counties closer to the coast like Orangeburg and Clarendon counties could receive between seven and ten inches.

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency in preparation for Hurricane Debby on Sunday. He asked South Carolinians to monitor local forecasts and begin taking proper precautions.

WIS News 10′s First Alert Weather team has developed a timeline for Debby’s development throughout the week and how it will affect the Midlands.

Flooding preparation

One effective measure for combatting potential flooding is using sandbags.

Sandbags act as a barrier, preventing water from moving into buildings. While they do not guarantee a water-tight seal, they can be an effective tool in avoiding flood damage. They can be used to fill holes, hold objects in position and form barriers when backed by supportive planks.

The State Emergency Service (SES) states sandbags can get heavy, weighing between 33 to 44 pounds when filled properly, so you might need at least two people to lay them safely. When preparing sandbags, you should only fill them two-thirds full to allow the sand inside to shift inside the bag, lie flat and move to fill gaps, according to SES.

When stacking sandbags, SES encourages you to lay them like bricks, offsetting the rows so the gaps between the bags are staggered.

Sandbags are available for purchase at many hardware, landscaping or garden supply stories.

Orangeburg County officials announced Monday morning they are offering free sandbag pickup for residents at various locations.

Another important aspect of potential flooding is the effect it could have on drivers. For those forced to travel through storms this week, it’s important to prepare your vehicles for driving through water.

Officials recommend drivers stay towards the center of the road during a flood where water tends to be the most shallow.

Drivers are also encouraged to travel slowly and in low gear. Drying your brakes by lightly tapping them while driving slow can help ensure your vehicle doesn’t spin out.

Outage concerns

With severe storms comes the potential for outages, so several electric companies have begun to prepare for potential effects.

South Carolina electric provider Dominion Energy began cutting down more trees near power lines over the weekend to prepare for Hurricane Debby. Dominion spokesman Matt Long said fallen trees are the number one cause that contributes to outages.

If you are a Dominion customer who experiences an outage, you can report it through the Dominion Energy App or by calling 800-815-0083.

Power outages can disrupt communications, water and transportation. They can also cause food spoilage and prevent the usage of medical devices.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security encourages some tips for preparing for a potential outage:

• Take an inventory of items you need that rely on electricity.
• Plan for batteries and other alternative power sources to meet your needs.
• Have flashlights for every household member.
• Know how long medication can be stored at higher temperatures and get specific guidance for medications that are critical for life.
• Have enough nonperishable food and water.
• Use coolers with ice if necessary.
• Turn off or disconnect appliances, equipment or electronics during an outage. When power returns, it could momentarily spike/surge and cause damage.

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